Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-14
THE RIGHT OF WAY.
OBSTACLES IN TIE PATH OF TH2
ELICTRIc-LIaE gxrzHsIoE.
Why the Union Company's Ordinance
was ReeOmmitted by the Board
Of Aldermen.

When the ordinance granting the
Richmond Union Passenger Railway
Company the right to extend its tracks
came mp at the meeting Of the Board OF
Aldermen Monday night it was, on
motion OF Mr.. Thomas n. Page, re-
committed TO the Committee on
Streets.
The ordinance had passed the Com
mon Council, aud Mr.. Page, in support
of his motion, said he understood that
there was some trouble about the inter
section Of tracks at Ninth and Canal
streets. and that he was informed that
all parties desired the recommittal.
THE TROUBLE.
A representative of the Dispatch
yesterday called on Mr.. J. Thompson
Brown, president of the Union com
pany, end sought of him an explaua-
ton Of this trouble, and he thus ex-
planned il: Mr.. Decatur Axtell, re-
ceiver of the Allegheny railroad, came
to him and said that for the Union Line
to cross Canal at Ninth would cause too
many tracks TO inteTsect at this point,
where there is very little space for any
thing. They talked the matter over,
and the result of their interview was an
agreement that the matter should be
recommitted TO the Street Committee
and let all sides be heard there.
THE IDEA.
The company proposes to run It's
tracks from Mayo's bridge up Four
teenth street to Mill (Which is just in
rear of the Old Dominion IRON and
Nail-Works' store-house), thence to
Virginia street, down this to the lower
end of Blanchards warehouse, an on
the private property OF Mr.. William
Henry Haxall along the north side of
the dock in the rear of the Tobacco
Exchange to Thirteenth street, thence
TO Canal, and up Canal by the Union
depot, &c.
THE DIFFICULTY.
Since the erection of the Byrd-Street
station, by which Byrd street is cut
eff above Eighth, the city has no
street south OF Cary running parallel
with Main except Canal, and this is
not open from Tenth street, which IS
closed by the Richmond and Allegheny
freight depot TO Ninth.
The Street Railway Company pro-
posed building its line along Canal
street between these two thoroughfares
and luilding ior this purpose bridge
which could be used for general travel
1hcRichmond and Allegheny Com
pany has two tracks on the south side
Of the dock-one running only to the
pIoyision-Louse of Frank T.. Patrick a
Co. and the other off to the south ana
over irestlipg doYl TO the wharyes.
PROPOSED CHANGE.
Mr.. Axtell offered TO move both of
bis tracks above Ninth street little
fmther north provided Mr.. Brown
would change lis route and 60 from
Canal street down Tenth TO Byrd, up
Byrd to Ninth and back to Canal, and
thence ly the Union depot. Mr..
Brown signifcd his Willingness to make
this change, although it would necessi-
tate the building OF two squares more
Of track, hut both he and Air. Axtcll
thought it best that the matter should
lie considered by the Street Commit
tee.
siR. BROWN iNDIFFERENT,
Mr.. Brown says he has met with SO
much opposition and SO many obstacles
that be is perfectly Indifferent about
pushing the enterprise further that he
has been pushing the matter to benefit
Richmond and to keep from being
beaten that his company, he thinks,
has done more for Richmonds progress
than anything or anybody else in the
last twenty-five years.
Mr.. Brown saiI farther that he was
only spending northern capital and
not his own; that these gentlemen
wQc wiling 10 continue and give Rich
moud IL complete belt line, passing
every depot and point of importance in
tie city and Manchester ii the city
wants It. To do this viii necessitate
tie expenditure of Gl50,000 or $780,
600 and the erection OF another plant
in some suitable location, possibly in
Manchester or on the dock, il the line
ont Seventeenth street is built.
ALL-NIGHT CARS.
Cars. be said, viii run all night, and
people can 60 from any point IL the
two cities 10 any depot or any other
point at any hour OF the night for five
cents, whereas to call cut carriage TO
60 to the depot they have to pay 3.
For Richmond's good and the good of
tie citizens Of the two cities, number
ing nearly 100000, he hoped all of the
extensions could be built, but that ne
lad become Indifferent and did not
exVoct to evince much further interest.
SHALL THE COMPANY BE ENCOURAGED ?
The simple question, said Mr.. Brown
was whether this company, which would
contribute 50 much to the convenience
Of the citizens, should be encouaged
or for the slight inconvenience of cross
ing a railroad track it should be drivers
out.
he had been urged to go to Staun
ton, where he would not have to fight
for desirable routes, and if there was
much further trouble here he would
likely co there.